(UPDATE: July 7 @ 4:45 pm) - Nearly 24 hours after first being spotted and attacked by local crews, the wildfire east of Kelowna International Airport is now classified as being under control.
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) made the update Monday afternoon, upgrading it from the being held status that it has been under since yesterday evening.
Starting at 6 pm tonight, the evacuation order for seven properties near the blaze will be downgraded. Residents will then be able to return to their homes and will be on evacuation alert.
While the evacuation order will be downgraded, the alert will remain in place for 113 homes at the following addresses:
- 4591-4593 Anderson Road
- All addresses on Batta Forest Services Road
- All addresses on Booth Road
- All addresses on Dead Pine Drive
- 4475 - 6025 Farmers Drive
- All addresses on Langley Court
- All addresses on Monaghan Drive
- All addresses on Rockface Road
- All addresses on Sierra Drive
- All addresses on Twin Creek Place
- All addresses on Upper Booth Road
- All addresses on Upper Booth Road North
- 5173 - 5176 Whitetail Road
Residents returning to their homes are asked to watch out for crews and equipment as work continues to extinguish hot spots and mop up the area.
The general public is asked to avoid the area to allow responders to perform their duties and for residents to return home.
(UPDATE: July 7 @ 10 am) - The Whelan Creek wildfire east of Kelowna International Airport saw no overnight growth, according to local officials.
In a brief update made on social media, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations (CORD) said there was no overnight growth and the blaze remains at 4.31 hectares in size.
Officials added that smoke from the fire will increase and decrease throughout the day.
As assessment is currently underway and more information is expected to be made available this afternoon.
An evacuation order for seven homes and an evacuation alert for 106 homes remain in place.
(UPDATE: July 7 @ 5:20 am) - Seven addresses remain under an evacuation order this morning after Sunday's wildfire in Kelowna.
Central Okanagan Emergency Operations (CORD) said in a bulletin last night that a state of local emergency has been declared.
The following properties are now under evacuation orders:
- 5250 Dead Pine Drive
- 4875 Rockface Road
- 4883 Rockface Road
- 5125 Rockface Road
- 5200 Rockface Road
- 5335 Rockface Road
- 5500 Rockface Road
Residents are advised to use the CORD map to find out if they are affected.
The following 106 properties remain under evacuation alert:
- 4591-4593 Anderson Road
- All addresses on Batta Forest Services Road
- All addresses on Booth Road
- All addresses on Dead Pine Drive except 5250
- 4475 - 6025 Farmers Drive
- All addresses on Langley Court
- All addresses on Monaghan Drive
- 4777, 4780, 4851, 4860, 4862, 4870 on Rockface Road
- All addresses on Sierra Drive
- All addresses on Twin Creek Place
- All addresses on Upper Booth Road
- All addresses on Upper Booth Road North
- 5173 - 5176 Whitetail Road
Anyone in need of help due to the fire is urged to visit the Emergency Support Services centre at Beasley Community Centre, 3450 Woodsdale Road in Lake Country.
CORD said in its update late last night that Mounties continue to patrol the evacuation zones.
It added: "An evaluation of the situation is underway and specific details will be released as they are confirmed. Public safety and the safety of emergency response personnel are the primary concerns at this time.
"Emergency Operations Centre staff are working with other response agencies to manage the situation and minimize the impacts, however residents of the area should be prepared to obey an evacuation order."
The public has been urged to avoid the Ellison area while crews clear the area.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, the fire remains held at 4.3 hectares.
(UPDATE: July 6 @ 9:40 pm) - The airspace around Kelowna International Airport has reopened.
"The airspace surrounding Kelowna International Airport (YLW) has been opened to allow some flights to operate during the evening of July 6, 2025," stated an update from YLW.
"Flight schedules will be dependent on the airline. Passengers are asked to contact their airline for the most up-to-date flight information before coming to the airport. As YLW is restarting operations, food and beverage options in the departures lounge may be limited. We appreciate travellers’ patience with this evolving situation."
(UPDATE: July 6 @ 8:55 pm) - Crews have made significant progress in their fight with a wildfire east of Kelowna International Airport as the blaze is now being held.
In the BC Wildfire Service’s (BCWS) latest update, the agency stated that the blaze was 4.31 hectares in size and expected to remain with its current perimeter.
“The wildfire is displaying rank two and rank three fire behaviour, meaning a surface fire with infrequent candling and a slow to moderate rate of spread,” wrote the agency.
From BCWS, there are three initial attack crews, two response officers and a unit crew responding.
Also helping with the wildfire are the Kelowna and Ellison fire departments, local police, Fortis BC and more.
The fire has also seen lots of attention from the air as two helicopters, a birddog and four air tankers have all worked this evening.
While the suspected human-caused blaze is being held, the airspace around YLW continues to be closed, meaning there have been no arrivals or departures for several hours at the airport.
YLW has asked passengers to contact their airline for the most up-to-date flight information before coming to the airport.
More information about YLW can be found online at this link.
(UPDATE: July 6 @ 5:25 pm) - As crews continue to battle a wildfire near Kelowna International Airport, police have begun to evacuate nearby residents.
“Kelowna RCMP are currently responding to a growing wildfire in the Ellison area, affecting Rockface Road, Upper Booth Road and Dead Pine Road,” stated police.
“Officers are conducting tactical evacuations of homes in the area and are asking residents to prepare for a possible evacuation.”
Ellison fire update
byu/simonsayzdumbthings inkelowna
Police added that the Kelowna Fire Department is at the scene, attacking the blaze that is currently burning uphill toward Postill Lake and other nearby lakes that have cabins and campsites.
“Kelowna RCMP are advising the public in those areas above Ellison to leave as a precaution,” added the RCMP.
“Although it is not yet known whether the fire will reach the lakes, there are limited access roads for evacuation from the surrounding forested areas.”
The public is reminded to stay away from the area and that general members of the public will not be allowed into the evacuation zone.
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) has stated that humans are the suspected cause of the wildfire and the service’s size estimate remains at two hectares.
An online flight radar and social media posts show several aircraft in the area working on the wildfire.
Because of the wildfire and firefighting aircraft, all arrivals and departures at Kelowna International Airport have been suspended until further notice.
(Original story: July 6 @ 4:25 pm) -A wildfire has begun behind Kelowna International Airport.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, the blaze is estimated to be two hectares in size.
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Smoke from the blaze can be seen from a distance and its cause has not yet been determined.
KelownaNow has reached out to the BC Wildfire Service for more details.
More information to come.
